My friend is fighting for something no one should ever have to fight for: fairness, safety, and access to justice.

For reasons of safety, she must remain anonymous. What I can share is this:

She has survived years of financial, psychological, and coercive abuse from her ex-partner. The impact on her health, livelihood, and stability has been profound. Despite everything she has endured, she has continued to show courage and dignity throughout a legal process that has been overwhelmingly stacked against her.

Recently, the court acknowledged that her ex-partner behaved inappropriately and deliberately dragged out proceedings. Despite this, the judge refused to award her legal costs — leaving her with mounting debts and no financial capacity to continue her case.

She achieved several important wins in her matter, yet the judge ruled she was “not successful.” This contradicts the Family Law Act, which requires “success on any issue” to be taken into account when considering cost orders. Her experience is not unique — many domestic violence survivors are finding themselves unfairly penalised by cost decisions that ignore the reality of coercive control and litigation abuse.

Now she is facing a situation that no survivor should face:

She cannot appeal unless she buys the court transcripts — at $800+ each. Files an appeal and can at least pay for some legal advice.

Transcripts are essential to:

• challenge unsafe or unjust decisions

• demonstrate misidentification

• prove procedural unfairness

• show patterns of coercive litigation

• make complaints to judicial oversight bodies

• protect children and survivors from further harm

legal advice will help her have a more successful appeal.

Parliament is currently considering Petition EN7162 – Making Family Law Transcripts Free for Domestic Violence Victims.

Until change occurs, survivors like my friend are left to shoulder these impossible costs alone.

What we are raising funds for

Your support will help her:

• purchase the required court transcripts (minimum $800 each)

• file an appeal of the unfair cost order

• obtain legal advice and basic representation

• continue her fight for safety and justice

Why this matters

This isn’t just about one woman.

This is about a system that routinely:

• punishes survivors for escaping abuse

• denies them access to justice

• forces them into debt to contest unsafe decisions

Every dollar helps restore her voice and her right to be heard.

How you can help

• Donate any amount (even $10 makes a real difference)

• Share her story to raise awareness

• Stand with her as she takes this crucial step toward safety, fairness, and empowerment

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and solidarity.

Together, we can help her continue her fight for justice — and ensure no survivor is silenced by the cost of seeking safety.